HC Deb 17 April 1973 vol 855 c67W
Mr. Golding

asked the Secretary of State for Employment what were the numbers unemployed in Westhoughton at June 1970 and at the last convenient date; and what percentage these are of the workforce.

Mr. Chichester-Clark

On 8th June 1970 there were 51 people unemployed in the Westhoughton employment exchange area and on 12th March 1973 there were 120. Rates of unemployment—the unemployed expressed as a percentage of the estimated total number of employees —can be calculated only for travel-to-work areas. On 8th June 1970 the rate for the Bolton travel-to-work area, which includes Westhoughton, was 1.7 per cent. and on 12th March 1973 it was 3.4 per cent.